Man dies after car plunges from A1(M) motorway into the River Don in Yorkshire

The site where a car plunged from the A1(M) motorway into River Don killing a manGoogle Maps

A man was killed after his car plunged off a motorway bridge and into the River Don in South Yorkshire, police said. A man's body was found after the vehicle was removed from the water.

"While formal identification of the body has not yet taken place, the family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers," the force said in a Facebook post. The victim has not been named.

Officers were made aware that a car had entered the river near Doncaster, at around 6:30am on the morning of Monday 28 March, the force said.

It prompted the closure of the northbound carriageway of the A1(M) between junctions 36 and 37. Drivers were advised to avoid the area while officers investigated the incident.

Regional underwater search teams were also called in to assist with the operation, South Yorkshire Police said.

Pictures from the scene appeared to indicate that the car had gone through crash barriers at the side of the road before it entered the river. South Yorkshire Police would not comment to the IB Times UK.

Writing on the force's Facebook page, people appeared to suggest that other vehicles may have been involved in the incident. "There was a lorry and two other cars smashed up too," wrote Becky Werrett, who said there were a lot of ambulances and police at the scene.

Hayley and Terrone Elsmore added that there appeared to be several cars involved in the smash, while Julie Lewins said helicopters attended the scene, although it was unclear whether there were police helicopters or air ambulances. Another said they had seen more than four bumped cars on 27 March.

As news of the death filtered through people were quick to pay their respects to the man and wish his family all the best. "Such sad situation," wrote Paul Laycock. "My thoughts are with the family." Zolly Szalma called the situation "so tragic", adding that the "poor family would have to adjust to such an ending".

Officers are currently dealing with an incident on the A1M northbound J36-37. Drivers advised to avoid the area - https://t.co/ZkQYMNgIfW